Killing on the big screen at the New Beverly tonight, courtesy of Eli Roth. / Photo by hemmob via flickr.

TALK
Author Katha Pollitt discusses her new book On Learning to Drive: And Other Life Stories with UC Irvine Professor Jon Wiener as part of the ALOUD at the Central Library series. Pollitt is a poet and columnist for The Nation who’ll discuss her latest essays that deal with sex, death, ex-lovers, politics, motherhood, aging and – as the title says – learning to drive. **This lecture is standby only.**

7 pm // ALOUD at the Central Library // 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles // Free, but standby only.

OPERA*

You read about it here yesterday, but we think its cool enough to repeat. The Long Beach Opera transforms a swimming pool into a set for the earth, the underworld and the river Styx in a multimedia version of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Orpheus and Euridice. The production stars Metropolitan Opera star Elizabeth Futral, Grammy-nominated clarinetist Todd Palmer, the Denali String Quartet and pianist Michelle Schumann. There are performance lectures one hour before curtain.

8 pm // Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool // 4000 Olympic Plaza, Long Beach // $45-$95.

FILM
Writer/director Eli Roth (Hostel) has been given the keys to the New Beverly, where he’s programming the films for two weeks. In a series called “The Greats of Roth,” he’s selecting his favs, some classics, some rarities. Tonight he’s selected the double-feature of Torso (1973) – an Italian slasher film – and Pieces (1982) – a chainsaw film that doesn’t take place in Texas.

7:30 (Torso) and 9:20 pm (Pieces) // New Beverly Cinema // 7165 W. Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles // $7.

ART TALK
Mistress of Ceremonies Veronique Chevalier hosts an evening of Vaudeville-style eclectic acts including Promis, members of FreakShow Deluxe and the Cat Hair Ensemble the Bordello Bar tonight.

9 pm // Bordello Bar // 901 E. First St., Los Angeles // $10 cover.

ART TALK
Walton Ford discusses his watercolor work and images from his new book Pancha Tantra at the Art Center College of Design. According to organizers: “Ford's life-sized watercolors are complex narratives that critique the history of colonialism, nineteenth-century industrialism, or contemporary political oppression and often address modern social or environmental concerns as well.”

7:30 pm // Ahmanson Auditorium @ the Art Center College of Design // 1700 Lida St., Pasadena // Free.

FILM (OPTION 2)
We’re slowly building up our excitement for the Oscars on Sunday and tonight’s screening should help. The Academy is hosting the 2007 Animated and Live Action Short Film nominees. **Please note: The event is already sold out, but there maybe a standby forming at the corner of Wilshire and Almont.**

7 pm // Samuel Goldwyn Theater // 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles // $5, $3 for Academy members.
*Pencil pick of the day

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2009 Toyota Corolla.